A World Cup referee from Somalia returned home on Wednesday after being denied entry into the United States just days before the start of the tournament. Omar Artan was due to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup and has been named one of Africa’s top referees. Artan had flown into Miami International Airport from Turkey and was reportedly told by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents that he was inadmissible to the U.S. Artan arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu earlier today, where he was welcomed by soccer fans.

Abdi Yusuf: “Our referee is an international standard. He has officiated international matches in Africa and Asia, and he was on his way to officiate global football matches. It would have been his first time participating in the world football stage. We are saddened by the way he was discriminated against, and we strongly condemn this act.”

Trump’s immigration crackdown and visa restrictions have disrupted travel into the U.S. for scores of World Cup fans and players from qualifying nations, with advocates around the world condemning his policies.